Apparatus for desiccating eggs.



No. 865,342. A P ATE NTED SEPT. a, 190.7. J. M. HUSSEY.

APPARATUS FOR DESIOGATING EGGS.

APPLICATION FILED MAE. 8, 1907. 10 S E S SHE T 1- PATENTEIb SE P EIYQ 3 1907. J. M. HUSSEY. APPARATUS FOR DESIGGATING EGGS.

APPLIOATIONFILBD HAB- B, 1907.

10 sums-sum 2;

five /aviary Q flzavmwa PATENTED SEPT. 8, 1907.

J. M. HUSSEY. APPARATUS FOR DESIGOATING EGGS.

APPLICATION FI LED MAR. 8. 1907.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

JJLQHI I jvo'eia onl/l/l/ No. 865,342. PATENTED SEPT. a, 1907.

= J. M. HUSSBY.

APPARATUS FOR DESIOCATING EGGS.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 8. 1907.

' 10 SHEETS-SHEET 4 No.865,342. TATENTED SEPT. 3,1907.

J. M. HUSSBY,

APPARATUS FOR DESIGGATING EGGS.

' arruonzon FILED mm. a. 1907.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

- 2 ja /aden- A No. s65,342.

J. M. HUSSEY.

APPARATUS FOR DESIOGATING EGGS.

PP IO TION FILED M R. 8, 190 A L A A 7 10 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

'IIIIIINIHIIIWN RMM/(M.

A 'PATENTfiiYEPT. s, 1907. A

, lmmwrmnun 1 j J. M. HUSSBY.

PATENTED SEPTqS, 1907.

APPARATUS FORDBSICGATIN G EGGS. I

A PPLIOATION FILED MAR. 8, 1907.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

1o sums-sum? a PATENTBD SEPT. 3, 190?.

, J. M. HUSSEY- APPARATUS FOR DESIGGATING EGGS.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. a. 1907;

No. 865,342. PATENTED SEPT. a, 1907. J. M. HUSSEY. APPARATUS FOR DESIGGATI NG EGGS.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. 8, 1907.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

A ll iimeasw" No. 865,342. PATBNTED SEPT. s, 1907.

J. M. HUSSEY.

APPARATUS FOR DESIGCATING EGGS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. B, 1907.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 10.

M M) @M.

JOHN n. nUssEY, or CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

APPARATUS'FOR DESICCATING EGGS.

, Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Sept. 3, 19'07;

Application filed March 8, 1907. Serial No. 361,225.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, .Ions M. HUssEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cambridge, in the county of .\Iiddlcsex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Apparatus for Desiccating llggs, of which the following description, in connection I with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to apparatus for desiccating eggs. To prepare the egg contents for the formation of the film hereinafter referred to, I may proceed in any usual way, employing either the whites separately, the yolks separately, or preferably a mixture of whites and yolks, but preferably stirring the e g batter intoa condition of uniform liquidity without, however, frothing the batter.

ln accordam-e with my invention and in order to secure the best results, I provide a belt which is preferably disposed in a plane that is nearly horizontal or is not so inclined as that the film of egg will run thereon and become uneven. It is highly desirable that each film of material received upon the belt-be as thinas possible; While I do not attempt accurately to specify the actual thickness in practice, yet a film that approximates in thickness the film of a soap bubble is highly desirable and the nearer this is approached the more satisfactory is the result. Such a film when received upon a belt disposed as stated becomes thoroughly dried it the belt beof sufiicient length or move sufiiciently slowly, so that as the belt is returned to the egg supply, the second layer is superimposed upon a dry, hard; non-viscid surface and does not adhere thickly to the sticky mass. It is desirable that the mass of supply with which the belt comes in contact. should be of the minimum extent so that there should be the least possible exposure of the egg supply to the air and also so that an egg film will be in contact with the egg supply, to receive thereon a second film, for the minimum length of time. In this manner, any desired number oi filmsmay be superimposed upon each other, to any desired extent as, for example, ten

to fifteen, each film being thoroughly dried before an-' otheris received therein]. When a suflicientnumber of film's have been superimposed upon the belt, any suitable mechanism may be brought into action to remove the resultant layer, which upon removal as snmes the form of laminated flakes, each of which is of uniform thickness by rcasonol the fact that each of the films is uniform in thickness and is thoroughly dried before another is added thereto besides having other characteristics not herein pointed out,. as the novel product resulting from the practice of my invention is not claimed in this application. It ishighly desirable that each film as received upon the belt remain out of contact with" exterior devices, so that it. may dry as received upon the belt. Accordingly, in the present type oi my invention, the egg film as received upon the belt remains untouched until it is removed by the scraper or other device employed for that purpose.

While each egg film may be dried in any desired manner, preferably I employ a current of air traveling in the direction of or contrary to the direction of travel 'of the belt, such current of air being preferably heated sofas to dry each film as rapidly as possible. p

In order that the'principles of the invention may be fully understood, I have illustrated one type or embodiment of the apparatus in the accompanying drawings, wherei I Figure 1 is a side elevation, partially in vertical section, of one form of mechanism for straining the'current of air employed to dry the egg; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of air heating mechanism and means for controlof means for operating a valve of the air heating mechanism; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of the drums whereonthe egg receiving belt is mounted together with a portion of such belt and the preferred mechanism for supplying egg to,the belt. Fig. 3 is a detail representing means for adjusting the belt; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the intermediate portion of the belt and portions of the mechanism adjacent thereto; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the drum for supporting the belt at the end thereol opposite that shown in Fig. 3, and preferably employed to drive the belt, a portion of which is here shown together with the belt driving mechanism; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the receptacle whereto egg is delivered and from which it is taken in a film by the belt; Fig. G 21 detail view of valved means to control the delivery of egg to the receptacle shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 7 is avcrtical sectionalview of such receptacle, the belt and the supporting drunrabove the same; Fig. '8 is a diagrammatic 'view representing an electric circuit. completed when the supply of egg in the receptacle becomes excessive or falls below a through the belt and its casing, intermediate the supporting drums; Fig. 1]. is a view .partly in horizontal longitudinal section and partly in plan of a form of side guide for the belt; Fig. 12 is a detail representing a portion of the scraper that may be employed to remove the lamiiiated layer of egg; fronrth beltfFig. l3 is'a" side elevation of a form of final egg drying apparatus that I may employ; and Fig. 14 is a plan of one'oi the drying racks.

Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive may be assembled to repruent the entire apparatus by placing Fig. 1 beyond 2 and Figs. 3, 4 and 5 to the left of Fig. 2 and succeeding each other in numerical order. v

In that specific embodiment of invention herein disclosed I employ a traveling belt whereto the egg is applied. In certain combinations or expressions of the inventioml am not to be limitedto the employment of a belt, as will appear in the claims. In. so far as such expressions of the invention are concerned, other trav cling egg receiving surfaces may be employed. Since, however, I herein dry each egg film before a second film is applied thereto, 1 have found that a traveling belt is best adapted to my purposes as it gives an extended surface, any portion whereof is not returned for a subsequent receipt of egg until the film already deposited thereon has had full opportunity to become dried.

The belt preferably employed by me is disposed with the drying runs thereof substantially horizontal. By substantially horizontal, 1. mean such a disposition thereof that the eggfilm received thereon will not run and become uneven upon such portions. While the belt may be trulyhorizontal, 1 preferably incline the same upwards at a preferably comparatively slight angle because of the manner in which, in the present embodiment of the invention,-l apply the egg to the belt. That is to say, since herein I apply the egg at or near one extremity of the under run of the belt, I incline the belt properly toapply the egg thereto and properly to confine the egg supply but. i am in no wise to be restricted to such manner of applying the egg, save as expressly stated, nor to the point at which the same is applied. Therefore, when 1 use the term substantially horizontal or the like in the claims, I contemplate such variations thereof or departures therefrom as may permit. the accomplishment of. the purpose heretofore stated, namely, the procuring of an egg film of substantially uniform thickness throughout and which will not run and become uneven upon the drying portions or runs of the belt.

Referring to that single cmbodimcnt of the invention disclosed in the accompanying drawings and referring more particularly to Figs. 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9, the belt whereto the egg film is applied is indicated at 1, it being suitably guided about supporting drums 2 and 3 (Figs. 3 and 5), one of said drums and herein the .drum 3 being msitively driven in a'ny suitable manner as by a band4 passing about pulldy 5 (Fig. 4) to which power is applied in a manner to be more fully described. While I may so locate and arrange the belt 1 as that one or both runs thereof are truly horizontal, preferably the belt is inclined upward from'the drum 2, though I am in no wise to be limited to the precise arrangement described or shown. Such upward inclination of the belt is mainly provided to permit the proper application to the belt of the egg film as will be more clearly understood by reference to Fig. 7 wherein 6 indicates an egg receiving tray of any suitable form andstrucmid adapted to receive a sufficient supply (if egg.

Herein the upper surface A of said tray is shownfzls concave'd or recessed as at 7. thus conforming subs 'ntially to-the surface, of the drum 2, which preferab y is lo cated at a-very slight distance above the rocesied por tion 7 of the tray. 'By the described upward trend of the belt, I am enabled to apply the egg to the under run of the belt, while at the same time confining the egg to such recessed portion of the t1 ay. 1 am, howcvcr,

not to be limited to the application of the cgg to the I belt at the under run thctcof, though I find such arrangement preferable. 'If desired, the upper run of the belt may be maintained horizontal and the lower run inclined upward toward the drum 3. This could be readily done by making the drum 2 larger than drum 3 and locating the drum so that the upper surfaces arc in the same plane. In this manner, egg could be readily applied to the lower surface of thc bclt bcncath the drum 2.

As clearly shown in Fig. 7, the egg is supplied directly to the surface of the belt. It will be observed that herein the cgg is applied to a continuods or uninterrupted surface from which it may be readily removed at the proper time as will be more fully described.

Viewing Figs. 7 and 9, it will be observed that'th egg is applied in a film to the beltby reason of the travel of such belt in contact with the egg, 9. preferably shallow supply of which is maintained in or upon the egg tray (5. The egg supply should reccivc'a minimum extent of exposure to the air in order to prevent souring thereof. Hence the egg tray is preferably made shallow to'mainlain the least possible amount of cgg therein. The exposed surface of cgg should likewise be rcupon the bclt to the cgg supply, thereby to receive a second film thereon, should be reduced to a minimum, because the exposure of a dried film to the egg supply tends to soften suclofilm. l have found in practice that this injures the product. Hence, in thiscmbodimcnt of the invention, I reduce to the desired minimum the zone of contact or are of exposure of the drum 2, or rather of the belt I supported thereon, to the egg. The egg supply, whcrftexposed to the air, sh uld, for the bcst; results, be maintained as near the freezing point as possible. liy the described construction a minimum amount of cggwill' be "taken up by the bclt'and the egg will be confined strictly to the surface of the belt, means being provided, as .will be described, to prevent contact of the egg with either the edges of the belt or any portion of the drum 2. The bclt l travcls herein in the direction of the arrow upon Fig. 7. That portion of the belt which is passing about thclowcr portion of thcglrum 2 may be considered as the eggroceiving portion of the belt.

That portion of the bclt which is passing about the side or lateral portion of the drum as at 8 in Figs. 7 and 9 maybe considered as the draining portion of the belt, inasmuch as if the bclt docs receive an e ccss quantity of material it is quickly drained therefrom as the belt passes from the lower to the upper run. Draining occurs only when the belt runs too fast and should not be permitted. When properly operated, the belt receives only a film of the proper thickness. The other portions of the belt may be considered to be the drying surfaces proper 0f the belt, and sucl'. surfaces should be sufficiently extensive or the movement of the belt should be properly regulated to permit drying of the egg thereon before ,thereturn of any portion of the belt to the drum 2. i

. of the runshould be reduced to a minimum.

' While I am in no wise to be limited to any dimcn- I a viscid nature when returned to the egg receptacle.

sions, I may state that inpractice I have found a belt that iseightyfeet from the centers of the drums2 and 3 and four feet in width gives excellent results. It is my purpose herein to apply the egg to the belt as a film of the least possible thickness. In practice, when merelythe first film is applied thereto the belt has the appearance of being merely wetted, without appreciable egg color. The more nearly such film approximates, for example, the thickness of a soap bubble film the better results are obtained. w

It is one of the purposes of my invention to heep each egg film cool,- as will be more fully stated.

An egg contains about 72 76 of water which, in the present preparation of my food product, is nearly all removed therefrom. This is accomplished most oilicientlyby'the application of heat and this is specifically effected by the drying action of a current of heated air, that passes in contact with the egg in the condition of a film. Since, however, an egg containing moisture very rapidly deteriorates in the presence of air and heat, it is requisite that the moisture be removed from the egg as rapidly as possible. So far as I am aware, I consider myself to be the first who, recognizing the desirability of removing the moisture from the egg has.

accomplished this by preparing an cg f lm of such extreme thinness that a rapid dr ying is accomplished. The fatty substance in theegg becomes rapidlyrancid and insoluble at F. and the albumen therein coagulates at 130 F. Hence the egg upon the belt, to obtain the bestresults, should be maintained at a temperature not above 55 F., or if for a portion of the run of the belt, such temperature be exceeded, this portion Therefore, I apply the egg to the belt preferably at a temperature as near the freezing point as possible, and by applying it in an eru recdingly thin film, I secure such a rapid evaporation of the moisture in the egg by a. current of heated air, that the solids in the egg remain cool and at a proper temperature. By reason of my availing myself of the phenomenon of rapid evaporation, with its resulting low temperature of the substance from which the moisture is absorbed, the egg film and the belt remain cool and below a temperature that can injure the product. While in the practice of my inventioh, the egg film should be kept at such temperature throughout the entire run of the belt, if toward the termination (if-the run the temperature of the egg tends to rise above the point indicated, such portion of'the run of the belt, should be reduced to a minimum, and

. the egg film is then brought in contact with the egg "surface whereby its temperature is again lowered. In

order to obtain the best result I continue the evaporation throughout the run of the belt as will be more fully stated. In this manner when any portion of the belt is returned to receive thereon a second film of egg,

' the preceding film is dried. Heretofore a second egg layer has hcprr placed upon the first. but the egg receivnature, so that by reason of this characteristic it taes -up a'laycr that is thicker than itself, this loperatibn ing irfacc furs been returned sorapidly tol'the egg supply that ,i' thorough drying of the first layer has not been insurcil and as a result such layer is of a viscid being repeated with succeeding layers. In accordance with my invention, I dryfeach film so thatit is not of Tie result of this is that no thicker film is taken up by any previous film than by the belt itself and in fact I find in practicelhat the tendency of each egg film is to take up a thinner film than that originally taken up by the belt. i

. The belt I- may be of any suitable material, though in practice I find zinc to be preferable, inasmuch as it has no deleterious action upon the egg.

In order that the egg may be preserved from conlamination I herein maintain the egg upon the belt .from contact with other portions of the mechanism. Between the drums 2 and 3 the upper run of the belt may be supported upon its'undcr, side by means of guide rolls or other devices 9.(see Figs. 3 and J0), which may, if desired, extend from edge to edge of the bell, inasmuch as tliey contact therewith upon the non-egg .,recciving surface.- It is desirable to support the lower run of the belt between the drums 2 and 3. I acco1n-. plish this effectively by providing cleared tracks extending longitudinally of the belt, in which tracks run the guide'disks 10 (see Figs.'3 and 10), which may be I laterally adjusted in any suitable manner as by means of a slot and screw construction. Any desired number of such disks may be provided both laterally and longitudinally of the belt, herein threcdislcs being provided to support a belt from edge to edge thereofl Any suitable means may be provided to furnish the cleared tracks uponthc bolt. Heroinfor the purpose, I cm ploy a series of clearing devices 11 (Figs 7) each constructed as a lever having a depending portion 12 servingto fulcrum the same upon the upper surface of the tray 6, the forwhrd end of the device 11 being suitably formed to clear a portion of the drum. If desired, aset screw 13 may be provided, suitably mounted upon the tray 6 to bearupon each clearing device 11 th vary the pressure thereof against the belt. It will be observed that the clearing device is readily removable from its position. Any other mechanism may, however, be employed for the purpose; If desired, the belt may be strengthened or reinforced in any suitable manner. It is desirable that the belt be so supported that it may run truly and evenly upon the drums 2 and 3 without lateral creep. Moreover the bcltshould be so supported that all slack therein may be taken out, whichmay vary from time to time in accordance @with the temperature. When the egg is rcinovcd from the belt, and preferably by a scraper as will be described, strain is thereby applied to the belt, thus givinga tendency to unevenness in the runningthoroof. 'To provide against these several contingencies, I have herein mounted the bearings 14 of the drum 2 upon a movable frame 15 preferably provided with grooved rollers 16 (see Figs..3'and'9) received upon suitable tracks upon the frame work 17, whereby the as found desirable. v In order that slack may be taken up automatically,

frame 15 may be moved toward and from the'drum 3 I herein mount upon the framework 17 aplurality oi bell "crank levers l8 from one. arm "whereof are suspended weights 19,;jthe other arm 20 being connected to the frame 16 The belt- 1 may, of course, be main taincd tannin any desired mannenf the bell 1 be true, it is desirable accurately toplacethe axis of the drum 2 i parallelism with that at tr eldrm 'sg ha the other hand the belt be not true, this being apt to l occur in a long belt, then it is necessary to place the axis of the drum 2 at a slight angle to that of the drum '3, inasmuch as such inaccuracy of the belt tends to produce a sidewisc creep of the belt. This may be corrected by moving one end of the drum further from or nearer to the drum 3 while maintaining the other end of the drum fixed. In order accurately to accomplish this result, I have formed the arm 20 of each bell crank 18 as a threaded bolt adapted to engage a portion of the frame 15, as a casting 2i thereon (scel igs. 3 and 3), a nut 22 being provided between said casting and the frame 15. In this manner an extremely delicate adjustment of the drum 2 maybe acconiplished, effectively preventing sidcwise or lateral creep of the belt 1.

Preferably each edge of the belt is suitably guided between the drums 2 and 3. I If desired,- fixt-d guides I may be provided for the greater portion of the distance between these drums, but preferably for certain per tions of such edges, and herein for that. portion of each run that is approaching one of said drums, I provide an adjustable guide herein represented in Figs. 10 and 11. That is to say, the upper run of the belt upon each side thereof is preferably provided with adjustable guides as it approaches the drum 3 and the lowerv run of the belt is so provided with guides as it approaches the drum 2.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, 23 indicates a. strip of any suitable material provided with a longitudinal groove 24"t0 receive therein the adjacent edge of the belt, such groove preferably being enlarged at the base ins thereof to receive. a strip of raw hide or the like to contact with the belt without undue friction. The guide l may be adjusted laterally in any suitable manner as l by set screw 25 mounted upon any suitable part of the l casing asfthe posts 26. In this manner the belts may i be adjusted laterally or held to their true course.

Viewing Fig. 3, a suitable supply or charge of egg is l contained in the receptacle 27 wherein it is l'naintainct'l i from exposure to the air, and is at a tcmncrafurc at or i near the freezing point, being maintained thercat by i proper insulating material in or upon the receptacle, l which may be hair felt. From this receptacle the egg l is delivered by a flexible or other pipe or tubing 25 to the concaved or recessed portion of the upper surface of the egg tray 6.

In Figs. (3 and 9 I have indicated in full lines at 28 near the opposite edges of flie -egg tray (S the points at which the two cgg supplyin pipes 28 discharge the ,cgg batter upon the coucuved upper surface of the tray. By introducing the egg batter at such points, there results a more uniform drying of the film or layer as received upon the belt. The egg receiving portion of the. tray is preferably of such relatively short length reduced to a minimum, as egg rapidly deteriorates inf l f f in the direction of travel of the belt that. the surface of l f l the presence of air. Preferably the egg tray is hollow to rcceivetherein a cooling medium such as brine. Here in the tray is shown as insulated at the bottom with felt 29 which may be employed at the sides and ends.

While the brine may be supplied in any suitable manner to the egg tray, preferably I provide a circulating systcm having therein a tank 30 (see Fig. 4-) adapted if desired to receive the brine from an ex- 'ternal source through a pipe 551. If desired, this brine. may be conveyed to the. egg tray (3, for which purpose it may be forced by a rotary orother pumps 32 to an clcvatt d tank 33 by means of a pipe 34, from which tank if conveyed to the egg tray 35, pipe 35 being provided (see Fig. fl) to rcfurn the brine to the tank 33, such. pipe having a. portion thereof maintained at a suflicimaf. elevation as shown in said figure to maintain a desired level of brine in said tray. If desircd, howcvcr, a. second supply of brine or other cooling medium of any desired nature may be employed to be cooled by th first brine supply, in which event the cooling medium contained in the tank 33 is not mingled with the first brine supply but. is cooled therefrom by passing it. in sufliciei'it proximity thereto in any desired manner. If a single brine supply be used. an overflow pipe 36 (see Fig. 4) may be employed lcadiug from the tank 33 to the tank 30.

While the brine supply in the tray (3 may bomain tained at any desired temperature, preferably it is kept at about 32 I*., the egg supply upon the surface thereof being thus maintained at this temperature, so that the dried egg film is suddenly further cooled or reduced in temperature upon its return to this point at the same time that. it receives another film thereon.

The moisture contained in the egg is exposed prelcrably in as thin films or tissues as possible to the ac tion of the heated air current. Inasmuch as. both moisture and heat favor the activity of bacterial and chemical action, it. will be obser'ved that. my process is carried on in the presence of two agents, each of which must be disposed of as rapidly as possible, so far as its relation to a given portion of the egg is concerucd. The objectionable chemical action is that of the oxygen on the fats and albumen. lleat liquefics the fats, thus fafvoring chemical action which results in the formation of inarguric acid in excess and olcic acid in excess. Furthermore, evenafter remm'al'of the nmisture, the air acts, dcletefiously upon the fats and other solids of the egg, so that it is necessary to rtmove the product from air exposure as quickly and completely as possible. If but. a single film or yer of egg were formed upon a drum or" otl r surface and were then rcmovt-d thcrefronras the final product, such product would constantly receive the maximum extent of air cXposulc, considering particles thereof. The rcsult is flint. such product is not wholly soluble in water and cannot be practically used for my purpose. Ideposit a thin film of egg remove the moisture therefrom rapidly, maintaining the film cool, and quickly cover or coat; such film with a sccond fil'm, thus-preventing air exposure thereof, so that in the final product, which may be composed of a. large number of superimposed films; one uriace only of each of the two surface films are exposed to the air, andhence the action of the air upon the product is reduced to a minimum.

upon the traveling surface,

dcads to the arm 38 of the float.

In the proper practice of my process the temperature of the belt and film or films thereon is at all times much below that of the air employed to remove the moisture, being desirably from about to 70 lower, if the temperature of the heated air be 122 F. In all other processes of which I am aware, the temperature of the egg layer, before it is removed, .closely approximates that of the heated air and hence insolubility of the product results.

By my process I am enabled to dry the egg more rapidly because I-can use a highertemperature than heretofore employed and I am enabled to use a higher temperature because the egg film is so thin that the drying process acts to keep the temperature of the film down to a proper point, which preferably is below F. Any temperature above 55 F. departs from the ideal condition that I have referred to. I am not. howevcr, tobe limited to the employment of any certain temperature, for during a portion at least of the run of the belt a higher temperature may be reached. My product is wholly soluble in water.

Preferably only a shallow supplyot' egg is maintained upon the tray t) and, in the present embodiment of my invention, I maintain this supply at a fixed level. While this may be accomplished in various ways, I herein provide (Figs. 3, t3, 8 and 9") a float valve 37 of cork orotlicr suitable material. The valve 37 islocated in a recess or well 37 (see Fig. l) ct'nnmunicating with the (OntttVttl portion 7 of the upper surface of the tray and extending beyond the Zone of contact of.thc belt with the egg upon the surface .A. Preferably the valve is provided with an arm 38 extending rearwardly therefrom and suitably pivoted at 39 upon the frame work said arm 38 being of suitable conducting material and adapted to contact with terminals 40 and 41 of an electric circuit, whereby in any desired manner a I valve is controlled, being either opened to admit a (3. Such opening of the valve occurs when contact is made by the float arm :58 with the contact 40. While any desired apparatus may be employed, rendered op rative by the movement of the that 37, herein the electric circuit employed [or that purpose comprises line wires 45 and 46, from the first of which a wire 47 leading front said wire 47 is a wire 48 connected with magnetASl adapted when energized to attract armature 00, to which is attached the valve stem 42 of the valve controlling the [low of egg to the tray. Leading from said magnet is a wire 5i count-(led with a bridge piece 52, and from a' companion bridge piece 53 extends a wire 54 leading through wire to the valve opening magnet 56. Likewise leading from said wire 54 is a wire 57 09htu-ctcd with the valve closing magnet 58. Pivotally mounted between said magnets 56 and58 is an armature 5!) having a bridge piece (50, so that when said armature is attracted by the magnet 56, the bridge piece 60 armature '52 to open the valve.

shown most clearly in Figs. 3 and 9.

places the bridge pieces 52 and 53 in communication, thereby energizing the magnet 4.) and a tracting the Leading from the contact 40 is a wire til. leading to the magnet 56, and leading from the lower contact 41 is a wire 62 connected with the magnet 58. The wires 54, 55 and 57 are connected by the wire 63 with the line'wire 46. 64 indicates a condenser in communication with the line wire 45 through the wire 64 and with'the wires til. and'62 through the wires (34" and (34. By the described circuit, ii the level of the egg in thetray falls below an established minimumyan electric circuit is-established through the contact 40 whereby the magnet 56 is energized, thus attracting the armature 59, so that by means of the bridge piece (50 carried thereby the mag 7 float through the contact all, in which event the magnet 58 is energized to withdraw the armature 59 from the dcncrgized magnet 50, whcrcby tho magnet 49 is deenergizcd. In this position of the parts, the valveis closed by the springs 45, (Fig. (3). vide the condenser ('14, which is in circuit when a circuit is established through either contact 40 or 41, to minimize the sparking at said contacts as the arm 38 separates from either of them, thus to minimize danger of fire at such points as well as toprcvcnt injurious action upon said contacts.

Preferably the egg tray 6 is mounted so as to be verti' cally adjustable,- that is, toward and from the drum 2 and belt I thereof. While this may be accomplished in any desired manner, herein the tray is supported upon a frame (35 having thereon shouldered supporting bars (36, upon which shouldered portions the tray 6 is adapted to rest. If desired, blocks or (see Fig. 9) may be hinged or otherwise connected to the bars 66 to maintain the tray in position. The frame may be raised and lowered in any suitable manner, and herein by means of four threaded shafts 68 Figs. 3 and 9) received in threaded portions of the frame 55, such. shafts passing through hearings in a frame 69 that is suspended from the frame 15 by means of. hangers 70, Each shaft 68 is provided at its lower end with a beveled gear 71 meshing with a similar gear 72 upon shafts 73 and.74, preferably connected by sprocket gearing 75 to turn in unison when power is applied to either of said shafts, as for example, by handle 76. In this manner the tray may be raised or lowered while maintaining the same truly level. lly reason of the fact that the frame (it) is supported from the frame 15 carrying the drum 2, said tray and drum move in unison, thus maintaining a fixed relation.

Any suitable means may be provided to prevent the escape of the egg supply from the tray 6 at either edge of the belt I. Herein for the purpose I have employed dams 75 (see Figs. 6 and 9), preferably con'iposed of highly flexible rubber tubing which rest upon the tray I preferably pro- 6 at or near opposite edges of thcbelt beyond the confines of the egg film thereon, such dam conforming to the contour of the belt 1. upon the drum 2 and affording a minimum amount of friction t the movement of the belt by reason of its described nature. In this man or, contact of the egg film with the edges of the belt or with the drum 2 is effectually prevented.

In order suitably and rapidly to dry the egg film upon the belt 1,1 pgcferably employ acurrent of heated air, passing in contact therewith. If desired, the air may be received from the exterior of the building, wherein the apparatus is located, it entering (Fig. 1) through openings 77, from which depend porous bags 78 whereby the air may be properly strained. These bags may, if desired, be disposed within a suitable casing 79 shown in said figure. From said casing, the air may pass by a main conduit 80 or a by-pass 81 (see Figs. 1 and 2) to a casing 83 wherein a suitable heating apparatus is providcd, valves 84 and 85 controlling the passage of air from said main conduit and by-pass respectively to said casing 83. -Within the casing 86 is provided a steam or other heater of relatively small capacity and a steam or other heater 87 of relatively large capacity, which in reality is composed of two heaters as indicated. Each of the three heaters is under hand control as indicated, so that it may be retired from action. Steam is supplied to said heaters from any suitable source .of steam supply by means of an inlet pipe 88, the steam passing by means of a pipe 89 to the heater 86 and by pipes 90 and 9110 the sections of the heater 87, exit pipes 92, 93 and 94 being provided for said heaters 86 and 87 respectively.

In order properly to control the degree of heat imparted to the air entering through the openings 77,1, in the present embodiment oi the invention, employ two thermostats operating at different temperatures. In Fig. 3 is indicated a first temperature thermostat 95 and a second temperature thermostat 96, the former being adapted to be rendered operative at a lower degree of temperature. A pressure tank 97 (see Fig. 2) is provided, connected with which is a pressure supply pipe 98 communicating by pipe 99 with a valve 100 of any suitable description and by means of pipe 101 with a valve 102 of any suitable description. From said valve 100 a pressure pipe 103 loads as shown in Fig. 2 to a diaphragm valve 104 controlling the inlet of steam to the larger heater 87 and by a branch pipe 105 with a diaphragm valve 106 controlling the exit of steam therefrom, said diaphragm valve 106 being placed between the pipes 93 and 94 and the pipe 92. Communicating with the valve 102 is a pressure pipe 107 communicating (see Fig. 2) with a diaphragm chamber 108-(soe also Fig. 2). Any suitable form of thermostatic control may be employed. I When a temperature has been reached at which the 5 thermostat 95 becomes active, the valve 100 is opened, placing the pipes 98 and 103 in communication, so that the valves 104 and 106 areactuated to cut out the double steam heaters 87 ,"it being understood that in the normal operation of the parts all the steam heaters are in 0 action. If the temperature should rise to a point at 'which the thermostat 96 becomes active the valve 102 is actuated to place the pipes 101 and 107 in communi- .cati on, thereby communicating pressure to the dia-' phragm chamber 108 to operate the valves84 and 85 in 5. the following manner. Viewing Fig. 2, the valve casing 109 is mounted in any suitable manner, preferably upon the casing 83. Pivot-ally mounted upon the valve casing as at 110 is'a lever 111. Spring 112 under compression and spring 113 under tension may be employed to engage the lever 11] normally to force the same to the left viewing said figure. A ro i 114 is connected to the diaphragm-of the valve within the casing 109 and to the. lever 111, so that when said valve is actuated the le er is forced in the direction of the arrow or to the right viewing said figure. The valves 84 and 85 are mounted I upon a common shaft l15,with which shaft the lever 111 is operatively connected as by means of rod 116. Said valves 84 and 85 are mounted at right angles to each other upon said shaft 115.

In the normal working of the parts the valve 84 controlling 'the main conduit 80 is wide open and the valve 85 controlling the by-pass 81 is closed as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. In this manner the air entering fromthe outside passes only through the main conduit- 80 and hence is heated by reason of the fact that it passes over or in proximity to the steam heaters 8G and 87, the bases only whereof are herein indicated and which may be disposed as desirable in said casing 83and be of any desired extent.- If the temperature rise to such point that the second thermostat 90 becomes active, the lever 111 is operated in the manner described partially or fullyto close, as the case niay be, the valve 84 and correspondingly to partially or fully open the valve 85'. If the valve 84 be partially closed, then there is a resulting mixture of air passing through the main conduit 80 over or in contact with the heater or heaters, with air entering through the by-pas 81 which does not pass over or in contact with the heater or heaters, and hence is at substantially normal temperature. 1t will be observed that depending upon 100 the amount of pressure that is admitted, the lever 111 will be operated to obtain any suitable mixture of air from said main conduit or lay-pass or to entirely close one or the other of them. T

Leading from the casing 83 (Fig. 2) is a e 117 105 communicating with the blower 118 from which the air is forced through passage 119 (see Figs. 2 and3) to a casing 120 by which the air at the proper temperature is brought in contact with the egguponthe traveling belt 1. g

While air may be heated to anysuitable temperature to dry the egg film upon the belt 1, preferably I maintain it at a temperature ranging from 120 'F. to F. and most desirably at about 122--F. I am enabled to bring air at this temperature in Contact with the eg '115 film without injuring the same byreaajon ofthe fact that the film is so thinly disposed upon the belt 1 that; p the moisture is quickly dried therefrom, thesolids of the egg remaining at a relatively low temperature throughout the process as has been stated. Thus, the 120 un desirable combination of moisture inthe egg in the presence of heated air is not long maintained.

\ Although herein the heated air, while in contact with the egg film upon the belt 1, travels in the'direction of movement of said belt and hence is admitted 12-5 directly to the upper run of the belt, 1 may, if de- ,sired, admit the heated air to travel in contact with the egg film upon the belt 1, in anv desired direction or manner. I have found it preferable to feed the air in the direction of travel or the belt l because the 130 being carried out under the best conditions.

highly heated air acts at once upon the film of egg as received from the egg tray, the air gradually dropping in temperature from 120 F. to about 100 F. during its travel 'in contact with the film'upon the belt. I have found that in this'manner evaporation of the moisture in the egg film is so rapid that the belt and egg are actually cold to the touch, when the process is As previously stated, the film is dried and as described is in the proper condition to receive a second film upon the non-viscid surface thereof:

As shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the casing 120 suitably supported upon the frame work of the apparatus, 'ptovides a passage wherein the egg belt 1 travels throughout its course excepting where in contact with the drum 2 and where the egg is removed from the belt, and likewiseprorides 'a passage for the heated air which may be discharged at the end thereof through the passage 121 (see Fig. 3).

'lhe superposed egg lilms may be removed from the belt 1. in any suitable manner. Preferably I employ ascraper which normally is maintained out of contact with the belt 1 in order that thedesired number of films may be superposed thereon. In Figs. 3 and 12 is shown a type of scraper 122 that may be employed for the purpose, it being herein shown as pivoted upon the frame at 123 and having a depending arm 124 with which may be suitably engaged a cord 125 having a spring section I therein, whereby the scraper may be brought into proper engagement with the belt 1. thereby to remove the superposed films thereon. If desired and as indicated in Fig. 12, said scraper may be formed of a series of contacting sections 127, preferably of Wood or other resilient material, so that any unevenness in the belt may be met by said independently movable sections 127, each of which is secured in an y suitable manner as between the members 128 and 129 of the scraper for independent movement. Preferably a roller 130 is disposed transversely of the belt 1 to contact with the non-egg receiving surface thereon and afford an abutment against which the scraper operates. The superposed films scraped from the belt may be received by any suitable receptacle as indicated by 131 in Fig. 3. cated in Fig. 10, the casing 120 is provided with removable panels 132, whereby access may be conveniently afforded to the adjustable lateralguides for the belt or any other desired portion thereof. 7

As previously stati d the belt 1 is driven from the pulley said pulley being rotated by a worm wheel i133 etnuxial tlu rewith. Mi sliing-with said worm wheel is a norm 13-! upon a shaft 135 suitably mounted in the ironic work and having thereon a pulley 136 about which passcs a belt 137 driven by pulley 138 upon a shaft I739. The brine pump 32 may be driven by belt Hi) from said pulley I38. The shaft 139 may be 'drivcn at any drsircd speed from pulley 141, any suitable speed changing mechanism, such as-that indicated,

'dtsirable to change the pccdef belt 1, bctause of changes in the humidity of the air or in the density of the egg that is being treated.

Preferably and as indi- In stating that the moisture is removed from each film before it is returned to receive another thereon, I do not mean that absolutely all the nioist'ureis removed therefrom, but that it is so far removed as that the film is no longer of 'a viscid nature and isperfectlyj dry to the touch. While I am not to be limited thereto, IW0tl1(l stat that I find in practice that good results are obtained by leaving about or nearly 10% of 'mo isture in the rgg film while upon the belt. This renders such film non-viscid. .The superposed films as removed from the belt crumble or brc ak into flake form each flake being as previously described of a laminated nature,

being composed of a plurality ofsujperimposed films. Inasmuch as each film is of uniform thickness throughv out, it isapparent that each flake has parallel sides or is of uniform thickness. v

The indicated amount of moisture preferably maintained in each egg film upon the' belt' 1 and especially in the outer layer thereof at each step in the proccss, because I desire the evaporation to continue until cr approximately until each film is returned to rt-ct ire a superimposed film. If the moisture were en- 1111 ly in ken from each film at a relatively considerable would be rendered insolubleand otherwise ob jectionable.

Alter thrproduct has been removed and has assumed the lamina-ti d flake form as described, it maybe subjected to the final drying in any desired manner. Prcf- (rably 1 place the flakes upon trays. 142 (Figs. 13 and 14) which may be superimposed upon trucks 143 in a chambcr H4, the temperature whereof should preferably be about F. more or less, whereby the moisture in thecgg is reduced to about37o to 6 70 Each of said trays is srparatcd, from the adjacent trays by means of a propcr air space. As the first truck is loaded with filled trays. it is rollcd to the far or left hand end ofthe chamber 144, succeeding trucks being positioned in successive order. Thus the first truck load of trays may be removed from'the far'or left hand end of the- 4 chamber as indicated. The trays 142 may be of any suitable material, but preferably have a bottom of wire r mesh 143, whereby the flakes may be exposed tothe air at both their upper and lower surfaces. Thus sub: stantially all the moisture removcd from the flakes, which are then carried to a room, the temperature whereof is about 40 F., where they are barreled and then subj cted to a temperature of 0 F., where they maybe kept indefinitely. Ihavenfound that if the egg be kept at a temperature of 70 F. it becomes insoluble, although :ried out. U I t As previously stated, by rapidly drying each film before another is superimposed thereon the resulting product is rendered thoroughly and uniformly soluble in water at a normal temperature. I have found by experiments that if each layer be not so dried before another is applied thereto, that is-i f the moisture in the egg be retained therein for a consldcrable period in the presence of air and heat, the resultant product contains many insoluble prop rties and becomes as it is termed air struck. I 4 v If desired the egg charge may be composed of'the the process be otherwise correctly car my invention, I desire it to be understood that although I have employed specific terms, they are used in a. descriptive and generic sense and not for the purposcs of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims.

1. An apparatus for desiccating eggs comprising an egg receiving tray and an egg-receiving belt located with its under run adjacent said egg-receiving tray, so that said run of the belt may contact with the egg contents of the tray, said belt being adapted to receive the can directly upon the outer face thereof from said tray, the upper run of said belt being maintained in a plane sufiiciently approaching the horizontal to permitthe drying of the egg upon said belt in an even layer, and means for supportingand driving said belt.

2. An apparatus for dcsiccaiing eggs comprising an eggreceiving tray and .an ee'ga'cccivlng belt located with its under run adjacent said egg-receiving tray, so that said run of the belt may conlact. with the egg contcuts of the tray, said belt being adapted to receive the egg directly upon the outer face thereof from said tray. the upper and lower runs of said belt being maintain'ed substantially horizontal, and means to support and drive said belt.

3. An apparatus for desiccating eggs comprising an eggrecciv'ing tray and an endless egg-receiving belt located with its under run adjacent said egg-l .ceiving tray. so that said run of the belt may contact with the egg contents 01. said tray, said belt being adapted to receive the egg directly upon the outer surface thereof from said tray and supported to have the runs thereof slightly inclined upward from the egg-receiving tray, means to so support the belt. and means to drive the same.

4. An apparatus for desiccatina' eggs co n 'n-isin an eggreceiving tray and an endless egg-receiving beltlocated with its u run adjacent said egg'receiving tray, so that said run oi the belt. may eontactwith the egg contents of said tray, said belt being adapted to receive the egg di rectly upon the outer surface thereof from said tray. the lower run of said belt being maintained in a plane slightly inclined upward from the horizontal whereby the drive or travel of the belt is slightly dow var-:1 toward the eggreceiving tray. means to so support said belt and means to drive the same.

5. An apparatus for desiccating eggs comprising means to receive a liquid egg supply. an eg -receiving belt, said belt having a lower run supported above and in close proximity to said liquid egg supply, said run constituting an egg-receiving surface and supported in a plane whereby the movement of said belt toward said egg supply is slightly dowuwa rd. said belt having an uprising portion or surface and an elongated substantially horizontal egg-drying surface. means for so supporting said belt and means for driving the same.

6. An apparatus for desiccating eggs comprising means to receive an egg supply, an eggweceiving belt having a portion thereof adjacent said egg supply and adapted to contact therewith and having its runs disposed substantially horizontal and arranged so that the egg'receiving surface of the belt may be preserved from xternal contact. during a plurality of revolutions of said belt. means to so support said belt, and means to drive the same.

7. An apparatus for dcsiccaqing eggs comprising a siib siantialiy horizontally disposed belt, drums for supporting osed run of said belt. so that the outer surface of the belt I may contact with the contents of said tray and receive cg...-

bulier therefrom. and means to adjust said tray relatively to the 0:15.: receiving. surface of said belt.

s. An apparatus for desiccating eggs comprising an egg supply. a traveling egg-receiving carrier in operative relaricrfaud means. to provide longitudinal cleared tracks upon said cc1w-receiving carrier for said guides.

b. An apparatus for desiccating eggs :omprlslng,'means to receive an egg; supply, an egg-receiving belt in operative proximity to said supply.- means to provide longitudinal cleared tracks upon the egg-redeivlng: surface of said belt and guide rollers contacting with said belt in said cleared tracks. I

10. An apparatus for desiccating' eggs comprising an cggrcceiving tray. :1 l'ravelim, egg-receiving belt having its drums for supper-ling said belt, the lower run of said belt moving toward said tray and inclined slightly downwardly with respect thereto, thereby preventing. escape of the egg at that edge of the tray that is approached by said belt, and means to prevent escape of the eggat the edges of the belt.

11. An apparatus for dcslccating eggs comprising an egg-receiving tray, a traveling egg-receiving belt in operative relation to said tray, :1 pair of drums to'support said belt, said tray being hollow to receive a cooling medium and having a concaved upper face, the lower run of said belt being directed slightly downward toward saldiray, and flexible dams upon said tray to prevent escape of the one at the edges of the belt.

12; An apparatus for desiccating eggs comprising. an egg-receiving tray, a traveling egg-receiving carrier in operative relation thereto and yielding dams upon said tray to prevent lateral escape of the egg from said tray.

i3. An a pparatps for desiccating eggs comprising an egg-receiving tray, a traveling egg-receiving carrier in operative relation thereto, and dams upon said tray to prevent the escape of said egg at the edges of the belt and comprising rubber tubing. I

1-1. An apparatus for desiccating eggs comprising an same and in operative relation thereto, and expansible damsbctween said tray and said traveling carrier and in contact with both of them to prevent escape of the egg from said tray.

if. An apparatus for deslccating eggs, comprising an egg-llatter-l'ecciving receptacle, an egg-batter-receiving belt located with its run or runs substantially horizontal, such belt having'a substantially horizontal run thereof located adjacent said egg-receiving receptacle, whereby such run may contact with the egg contents of the receptacle, a pinrality of heaters, and means automatically to render one or more of them inoperative. I

16. An apparatus for desiccatins eggs comprising an egg batter receiving receptacle, a traveling cc; receiving bell: located with its lower portion thereof adjacent said batter receiving receptacle, so that Such portion of the belt may contact with the egg batter in said receptacle, the said belt being adapted to receive egg batter upon its outer surface from said receptacle, means to support and drive said belt, means to subject the egg batter deposited upon said bell: to the action of a heated drying medluin, and means whereby the egg batter in said receiving receptacle at the pointer. application of the. batter to the belt may he maintained at a temperature below 55 I 17. An apparatus for desiccating eggs comprising, an egg batter receivinc; receptacle, a traveling egg receiving belt located with its lower portion thereof adjacent said batter receiving receptacle, so that such portion of the belt may contact with the egg batter in said receptacle, the said surface from said receptacle, means to support and drive said belt, means to subject the egg batter deposited upon said belt to the action of a heated drying medium, and means for subjecting theegg batter while in the receiving rec ptacle and prior to the depositing thereof upon the belt to the action of a circulatory cooling medium.

'18. An apparatus for desiccating eggs comprising an i egg batter receiving receptacle, a traveling 1 g receiving tion to said supply. guides for said egg-receiving carlower run inclined slightly from the horizontal, a" pair of egga-eceiving tray, a traveling carrier locatednb'ove the belt being adapted to receive egg batter upon its nuter some;

belt located with a portion thereof adjacent. said egg batter receiving receptacle, means to support and drive said belt, said receiving receptacle being located adjacent said belt near a point of support of the latter, whereby egg batter may be received upon said belt from the receptacle near such point of support of such belt, and dams to prevent contact of the egg batter with such belt support.

1!). An apparatus for desiccnting eggs comprising an egg batter receiving receptacle, a traveling egg receiving carrier or supportdoeated with a portion of the receiving surface thereof adjacent said egg hatter receiving receptacle, so that the receiving surface of said carrier or sup port may contact with the contents of the said receptacle and receive batter therefrom, and supplying passages for supplying egg batter to said receptacle, said supplying passages communicating with the receiving portion of said pccplarie adjacentthe opposite edges of said traveling carsupport and drive said carrier or support, an egg batter receiving receptacle located in close proximity to'said carrier or support, so that the receiving surface of thelatter may receive egg better from said receptacle, means to prevent contact of the edges of the carrier or support with the egg batter, means ,to subject the layer of egg batfor upon said carrier to the action of a heated drying, medium, and means to subject the eg' butter in said receptacle to the action of a cooling agent, whereby the egg halter as it is received upon the carrier or support is malntaincd cold and whereby the egg batter after it is recelved as a layer upon said carrier or support is raised in temperature by the action of said heated drying medium.

22. An apparatus for desiccating eggs comp sing a traveling carrier or support having a surface adapted to receive a layer or layers or egg battertbereon, means to support and drive said carrier or support, an egg batter receiving receptacle located in close proximity to said car- '45 rier or support, so that the receiving surface of the litter may receive egg batter from said receptacle, means to prevent contact of the edges of the carrier or support with the egg butter, means to subject the layer of egg batter upon said carrier to the action of a heated drying medium, means to subject the egg batter in said receptacle to the action of a cooling agent, whereby the egg batter as it is received upon the carrier or support is maintained cold and whereby the egg batter after it is received as a layer upon the said carrier or support is raised in temperature by the action of said heated drying medium, and means automatically tocontrol the level of egg hatter in said re 23. An apparatus for dcsiccatiug eggs comprising a traveling egg receiving belt, supporting, and driving means for said belt including a supporting drum, an egg receiving receptacle located in close proximity to the said belt where the latter is supported by said drum, whereby the outer surface of the belt may contact with and receive egg batter from said receptacle, said receiving receptaclc being of reduced extent in the direction of travel of said belt to provide a restricted zone of contact between the receiving surface of said belt and the e g batter in said receiving receptacle, said zone of contact being less than the dianieter of the receiving drum for the belt adjacent said receptacle, and dams to prevent contact of said supporting drum with the egg batter in said receiving eccptacie.

24. An apparatus for desiccai'inc; eggs comprising an egga-eceivingtray, a traveling egg-battera'eceiring carrier supported in close proximity to the contents of said tray, and dams upon said tray to prevent lateral escape of the eggdiatter from said tray.

In testimonywhereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence oi two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN M. l-IUSSEY.

.Vitnesses IRVING U. Towxsnxn, ROBERT H. Kluuinpu. 

